Pantego Christian ex wins Fort Worth City Championship

Colby Amparan of Fort Worth played briefly on the Ouachita Baptist golf team before transferring to Baylor with the hope of playing for the Bears.

After firing a a final-round 67 on Sunday to overcome a one-shot deficit and win the Fort Worth City Championship, the back story of his career coupled with his surge to the top of the leader board wasn’t lost on the Pantego Christian alumnus.

He used a front nine 31 to seize control of the 36-hole event at Pecan Valley Golf Course.

And while Amparan sought answers early in his playing career, he’s never had his game more definitive.

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Fort Worth's Colby Amparan fired a closing 67 to win the FW City Championship at Pecan Valley Golf Course. Amparan's 137, 36-hole total was good for a 3-shot win kcasas@star-telegram.com

“It’s my first win in a long time, I know that,” he said, while trying to recall his last golf victory. “I really thought after the front nine, I had a chance. I was 4 under and figured if I played the back nine even par, that would be the number to beat.”

Amaparan, an accomplished musician who never got around to joining the Baylor golf team, came close to matching his target, hanging on over the closing stretch to shoot 1-over 37 and win by three shots.

Jamie Schmitt also closed with 67 to finish as runner-up, and defending champion John Bearrie had the day’s low round with a 64 to climb into third place.

“I would have liked to give myself some more breathing room,” Amparan said. “I knew there would be good scores and there were. I figured if I got it to 4 or 5-under par, that would be the number and I came in at 3.”

But it wasn’t as simple for Amparan on the back nine as he struggled to convert strong birdie chances on No. 14 and No. 16.

After hitting his approach shots to less than 3 feet on both holes, he missed the hole entirely with his birdie chance on 14, then lipped out his putt on 16.

Still, a bogey-par finish was good enough to score the win.

“I love the game still, there’s no doubt,” he said. “I’ve got a window cleaning company and we’ve been growing the last couple of years.

“I didn’t know whether I wanted to play golf, play music or continue running my business after college, so I tried some minitour events, but I was at a big disadvantage. I saw some promise and knew I had some work to do, but I’m so glad I chose to grow my business and now I just enjoy the game.”